Gr 5-8 –The shock value alone makes this worth the cover price, but once kids are pulled in, they will learn more than they bargained for about the impact of insects on human history. Insects have determined the outcomes of wars and the paths of human migrations; they have brought plagues, provided strong fabrics, and sweetened our tea. Chapters are divided topically, beginning with the basics of insect life cycles, moving on to human hygiene and beneficial insects, and then covering “bad news bugs,” before tackling history from the “earliest epidemics” to current concerns in the relationship between humans and insects. This is history for those with a strong constitution, who aren’t bothered by phrases such as “cockroach brain tissue,” “crawling with maggots,” and “bursting buboes” or by the idea of receiving 9,000 insect bites in a minute. With a green-and-purple design, reminiscent of a beetle, and black-and-white photos and cartoon illustrations, this is an attractive package full of hand-washing inducing facts. Overall, this title is astonishing, disgusting, revolting, and ultimately fascinating, making it perfect for emerging entomologists, budding historians, reluctant readers, and gross-out junkies alike.–Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

Gr 4-7 –Stubby, a terrier of unknown origin, found his way to the training grounds in New Haven, CT, as recruits were preparing to ship off to battle in Europe at the height of World War I. Dogs have had a special place beside their human companions throughout history, and Stubby is no different. He attached himself to J. Robert Conroy, one of the recruits, and they became an inseparable team for the rest of Stubby’s life. Smuggled aboard a naval ship with the young soldiers, the dog lived the life of any soldier: sleeping in trenches, dodging bullets in the heat of battle, and ferreting out enemy combatants when he could. Sargent Stubby’s heartwarming and inspiring story touched many lives, from fellow soldiers needing comfort to local villagers who made special clothing for him and many a skeptical officer in between. Bausum manages to weave in the general details of the last few years of World War I, providing some historical context and adding a bit of suspense and drama. Stubby’s fame only grew after the war ended and the two friends came home and traveled the country, marching in parades and posing for pictures. While many details are lost to history, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook kept by Conroy, and mentions in interviews provide enough information to piece together a moving, thoughtful dog story. Period photographs of the war front in general and a few of Stubby specifically, sprinkled throughout this relatively short narrative, make this a choice offering for dog lovers and history buffs alike.–Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Gr 5 Up –“Every building has a story to tell.” Beginning with the Egyptian pyramid of Djoser and progressing through the Greeks and Romans, the Renaissance, and on to modern skyscrapers and Paris’s Pompidou Center, Dillon ties advances in architecture and building to specific cultural and economic conditions. In some cases, he credits the genius of individuals, such as Palladio. Each chapter begins with a historical overview and is followed by a description and illustration of a representative building. Clear explanations of basic building concepts (cantilevers, arches and domes, reinforced concrete) are balanced with discussions of more abstract principles such as symmetry, geometry, and pattern. But the volume is truly set apart by Biesty’s elaborate, meticulously detailed, and clearly labeled drawings (some stretching across two large-format pages plus two half-page fold-outs). Widely known for his 1992 Incredible Cross Sections, Biesty here adds a kaleidoscopic yet tightly integrated visual dimension that will transfix readers. The section on London’s Crystal Palace, designed by gardener Joseph Paxton and built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, is fascinating, outlining the modular design and rapid construction from 300,000 sheets of glass and 1,000 iron columns. Sections detailing Beijing’s Forbidden City, Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the Taj Mahal, and other buildings from outside the European tradition are worked deftly into the narrative.–Bob Hassett, Luther Jackson Middle School, Falls Church, VA

Gr 6 Up –This haunting insight into a little known epidemic from the early 20th century provides statistics, firsthand accounts, pictures, and an easy-to-follow narrative of the pellagra outbreak in the United States. The book details the baffling uprise of pellagra, a life-threatening disease characterized by weakness, rash, and insanity; the medical investigation that ensued; and the eventual changes that were made in America’s diet to combat both this sickness and other maladies caused by nutritional deficiencies. This title is descriptive and well researched, with a striking bold-red color scheme. Though the images are graphic and potentially disturbing, they are not sensationalized, and enhance the narrative. This is an excellent addition to nonfiction collections in school and public libraries. [Ed note: See author Q&A, p. 16.]–Tammy Turner, Centennial High School, Frisco, TX

Gr 4-6 –Mulder’s latest addition to her solid repertoire of environmentally conscious books addresses the crises (pollution, shortages, etc.) of the global water supply. Her conversational style keeps the material from being too clinical or gloom-and-doom, without ever seeming superficial. Ideal for reports, the book is packed with great information on everything from the way civilizations have collected and used water throughout history, sobering assessments of the present and future availability of clean water, and intriguing solutions already employed, such as fog catchers, or that are still in their experimental stages. Worthwhile factoids, sidebars, and interesting photographs accompanied by instructive captions add to the abundance of meaningful material. Mulder is honest about the emergency unfolding around this precious resource, and though the situation is fairly dire, she empowers her readers by offering feasible suggestions that individuals can use to improve things. And like raindrops falling into a collection barrel, each and every single conscientious action adds up. An excellent resource on the topic.–Alyson Low, Fayetteville Public Library, AR

Gr 4 Up –As in his works about other restless souls who charted their courses by the stars and pondered big questions (Columbus, Galileo, Darwin), Sís’s picture-book biography of the famous French aviator and author comprises multiple layers. Trim but informative sentences ground the pages where text appears (“When he was four years old, his father died unexpectedly. The boy wondered, Where did he go?”). Sensitive readers will follow that question into the heart of the story that encompasses Saint-Exupéry’s childhood, passion for flying, experiences with military and commercial planes, multiple crashes, risk-taking temperament, friendships, marriage, and publications. Dates, places, events, and exploits swirl around smaller images framed cleverly with bubbles, sequential panels, maps, or airplanes. The emotional content comes through the changing colors and compositions of Sís’s exquisite double spreads. Many are wordless, as when the pilot stands at the edge of the vast turquoise ocean; above the horizon, twinkling yellow stars form the curls and eyes of the title character of The Little Prince. Sís is as adept at drama (the red paint bleeding from the sky as the Germans bomb France) as he is at subtle humor (an aerial view of Manhattan portrays the city as an alligator-shaped landmass emerging from a sewer). Slyly inserted referents, from an elephant inside a “hat” to a Méliès moon, add meaning. Sís’s handling of the aviator’s last flight and disappearance strikes just the right notes of mystery, majesty, and quiet wonder that connect the life and longings of Saint-Exupéry to those of his young, fictional friend. Brilliant bookmaking.–Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

For all the latest reviews in this subject area and more, check out our Book Verdict site! Book Verdict is fully accessible to all users, though certain content and functionality are only available to subscribers. To log in to your account, click here. To view the new subscription options, Get Started With Book Verdict Pro Today.
Don't know if you have an account with us? It's easy to check and verify your email, or create a new account.

The following titles are reviewed in this month's print issue.
Visit Book Verdict for the full reviews.

Be respectful, and do not attack the author or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.

Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.

Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.

We are not able to monitor every comment that comes through (though some comments with links to multiple URLs are held for spam-check moderation by the system). If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

We accept clean XHTML in comments, but don't overdo it and please limit the number of links submitted in your comment. For more info, see the full Terms of Use.